Office of the Deputy Suprintendent > Curriculum and Instruction Division

Curriculum and Instruction Division

• Overview
• Interdivisional Curriculum Committee (ICC)
• Standards Based Report Cards (SBRC)
• Related Resources
• Contact Information

Overview
The Curriculum and Instruction Division is responsible for supporting district educators in meeting the academic needs of all students. The Division supports schools in both what to teach and how to teach: by providing a rigorous, standards-based curricula in all content areas and by offering ongoing professional development for teachers and administrators on critical instructional strategies that will help them address the needs of their diverse learners. The Curriculum and Instruction Team consists of the following departments/programs:

• Educational Technology
• Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
• History/Social Science
• Instructional Materials
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Off-Campus Integrated Learning Experiences (OCILE)
  • Balboa Park Program
  • Old Town Program
  • Palomar Outdoor School
• Physical Education, Health and Athletics
• Science
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Instructional Media Center - Library Services

In order to accelerate student performance, the district has identified the following inter-related, high-priority focus areas:

• High Expectations for All
  The results we get are often directly linked to the expectations we hold. The district supports practices that foster a culture of high expectations, such as: inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and the expectation that all students take college prep course-work.
• Standards-Based Curriculum and Instruction
  Ensuring access for all students to engaging, rigorous, standards-based curricula in all areas is essential if we are to see significant gains in student achievement. With support, principals and teachers will be able to continue strengthening the curriculum while improving their repertoire of instructional strategies, allowing them to meet the needs of all students.
• Purposeful, Timely Use of Data
  The timely use of data to inform instruction is critical to meet the needs of all students. Our district's comprehensive assessment system is designed to allow educators to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses in order to plan appropriate instruction.
• Strategic Support
  Successful school districts provide additional support to the students and schools that need it most. In San Diego, principals and teachers receive additional guidance on how to work with English language learners as well as guidance on how to intervene when students are having difficulty with reading and math.
• On-Going Professional Learning
  The district is dedicated to providing professional development that is relevant and integrated into teachers' daily work. Teachers must have time to work collaboratively on the identification and implementation of practices that support student needs.

The Curriculum and Instruction Division, in conjunction with other central office departments, strives to provide schools with the instructional support and guidance needed to meet the needs of every student.

Interdivisional Curriculum Committee (ICC)
Interdivisional Curriculum Committee (ICC) is the group that reviews and recommends new courses, deletion of courses, and changes to approved courses to the Board of Education. It ensures that all courses are rigorous and provide students multiple pathways to graduation, college and career.
Learn more.

Standards Based Report Cards (SBRC)
The San Diego Unified School District is now using a Standards-Based Report Card (SBRC) at the elementary level.
Learn more.

Related Resources

• Curriculum and Instruction Plan 
• Newsletter
  • June 2008 
  • August 2007 
• Curriculum and Instruction Professional Development Calendar:
  Summer 2008  (Revised 6/23/08) | 2008-09  | Registration
• Curriculum and Instruction Organization Chart 
• Curriculum and Instruction Videos

Newsroom

• Workshop invaluable for local math teachers (San Diego Union Tribune, August 13, 2007) 
• New Plan for Curriculum and Instruction (Staff Bulletin, July 2007)
• Balboa Named Nation’s Top Math Elementary by Intel (June 2007)
• News You Can Use – Jennifer Cheatham Appointed Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Staff Bulletin, April 2007)
• 310 District Students Honored at County Science Fair (April 2007)

Principal Professional Development

• October 5, 2007 - PLC Presentation to Principals 
• December 7, 2007:
  
  • Systems of Intervention presentation 
    
  • Systems of Intervention graphic 
• February 1, 2008:
  
  • Developing Professional Learning Communities Focused on Results presentation 
    
  • Immunity to Change Exercise 
  • Case Studies on Developing and Living a Culture of High Expectations 
  • S.M.A.R.T.e Goals 
• April 17, 2008:
  • Main Session
    • Speech 
    • PowerPoint presentation 
    • The Instructional Leadership Team is NOT 
    • Reflection Guide 
    • Next Steps Planner 
  • Elective sessions
    • Systems of Intervention:
      • Systems of Intervention Guiding Principles 
      • Systems of Intervention inventory worksheet 
    • High Expectations:
      • Elective Workshop- High Expectations 
      • High Expectations Tool 
    • Structures and Supports for PLCs:
      • Elective Workshop- Structures and Supports 
      • C4 Context for Powerful Professional Learning Communities slides 
      • PLCs that Really Work
      • Finding Time 
      • TCTs that Really Work
    • Mission, Vision, and Core Values:
      • Elective-Mission, Vision 
    • SMART Goals:
      • Elective Workshop- SMART Goals 
      • NSDC Tool 

Contact Information
San Diego Unified School District
Curriculum and Instruction Division
4100 Normal St., Room 2114
San Diego, CA 92103

(619) 725-7224 - Phone
(619) 725-7707 - Fax

Key Contacts

• Executive Director
  Jennifer Cheatham
  jcheatham@sandi.net